Sam Altman Highlights the Cost of Politeness in AI Interactions
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently sparked online discussion by revealing that polite language like “please” and “thank you” used while chatting with ChatGPT contributes significantly to the company’s energy expenses. Responding to a user on X who questioned the electricity cost of using courteous language with AI, Altman replied it costs “tens of millions of dollars well spent”—a light-hearted remark that still pointed to a real operational cost.
Although ChatGPT isn’t sentient, a growing number of users tend to engage with it politely. A 2024 survey revealed that 67% of Americans use courteous language with AI—55% of them do so because it feels ethically right, while 12% humorously cited the possibility of a future AI uprising.
This behavioral trend shows how people increasingly treat AI like companions rather than tools. Some even go as far as addressing ChatGPT with titles like “my master” or justifying politeness as a safeguard in case AI gains control in the future.
The Technical Cost of Courteous Prompts
While seemingly innocent, polite phrasing leads to increased computational demands. Every extra word the system processes requires more server power, increasing the energy load on data centers and the need for robust cooling systems. This directly contributes to higher electricity consumption.
For premium ChatGPT users, who are billed based on token usage, using longer, more polite prompts can also slightly increase their costs.
Experts Weigh In on the Benefits
Despite the environmental and financial impact, some industry professionals argue that polite language improves AI interaction quality. Microsoft’s Kurtis Beavers mentioned that respectful prompts often elicit more refined, collaborative responses. A memo from Microsoft WorkLab supported this idea, suggesting that AI tends to reflect the tone set by users, even without human emotions involved.
Rising Popularity Equals Rising Energy Use
In a TED talk with Chris Anderson on April 11, Altman shared that ChatGPT now has around 800 million weekly active users, roughly 10% of the global population. This rapid growth, spurred by viral tools like Ghibli-style image generation, has driven up infrastructure demands and energy use.
OpenAI now faces the challenge of balancing user growth with the sustainability of its AI operations.
Social Media Reacts with Humor and Concern
Altman’s comments stirred a mix of humor and anxiety online. Some joked about politeness being their insurance against a robot apocalypse, while others questioned why OpenAI doesn’t reduce server costs by processing polite phrases locally on users’ devices.
Regardless of the tone, the conversation has raised awareness about the hidden environmental costs behind everyday digital habits.
Altman’s final stance was clear: despite the expense, he believes that building more natural and human-like interactions with AI is worth the cost.
